In 2001, James T. Smith turned to Muay Thai as a means to release the pain and angered he harbored after his mother lost a grueling battle to cancer.
James began training with Chris Tran, Derek Riddick, and the late MMA fighter James "Angry Snowman" Gabert. At the inception of his amateur Muay Thai career, James undertook the name B-52 Bomber because of his passion for civilian and military aircraft, as well as his delivery of powerful punches and kicks.
Between 2007 - 2009, Smith began training with fellow Muay Thai fighter Wayne Brown with whom he later founded Black Thaiger Academy.
James transitioned to a professional Thai Boxing career, and after 11 years of fighting, he retired to pursue his other passion: coaching. It was then that he founded B52 Muay Thai, currently located at UFC gym, North Brunswick.